New Lancet each time you test? [Archive]

jjordie

10-15-2006, 11:37 AM

Just wondered if other people use a new lancet every time they
prick their finger. I was always told to do this, but now I use
the same one until it starts to hurt when I use it :(

What do you do?

:nurse:

JediSkipdogg

10-15-2006, 11:46 AM

I changed mine when I think about it. Which is probably every 3-6 months.

lgvincent

10-15-2006, 11:49 AM

I change each week although I've been thinking of changing more frequently.

liz32

10-15-2006, 12:19 PM

i change when I remember or when it hurts....should do it more often
Liz:captain:

seacomp

10-15-2006, 12:35 PM

Changing a lancet at least doubles the time it takes to test, I've better things to do with my time.

grace girl

10-15-2006, 12:40 PM

I try to do it once a day, but it's more like once every couple of days.

Cyborg

10-15-2006, 01:00 PM

Once every few weeks for me... :(

Tsukia

10-15-2006, 01:12 PM

I normally change it when i think about it
that makes it normally every few months
i really do need to do it mor often

NealJ

10-15-2006, 02:07 PM

Well, the local pharmacy has a picture magnified hundreds of times of an unused vs. used lancet. The used lancet's point is damaged, bent a little, almost crumpled like the front-end of a car in a front-end collision. So, I change my lancet everytime I test.

Alicat

10-15-2006, 02:24 PM

I change mine once a week or so. It really depends on when I remember to do it!

spike

10-15-2006, 02:33 PM

Funnygrl

10-15-2006, 02:35 PM

I never used to use a new lancet. I would use mine for MONTHS. Then I realized I had a ton of lancets. Now I change the lancet almost everytime I test when I am home. My fingers look better and I bleed easier.

KritterMom

10-15-2006, 02:49 PM

I change mine whenever it starts to hurt. I know that isn't right, and they send me tons of lancets, it's just not something I think about very often. I change mine maybe once every week or so. And then I complain becuz I have soooo many lancets, lol.

valc3

10-15-2006, 03:08 PM

I change the lancet when it starts to hurt.

Fenway

10-15-2006, 05:52 PM

Once or twice a week.

karen

10-15-2006, 06:13 PM

About once a week or perhaps less and as soon as I change and notice the difference in pain level, I think why don't I change it more.

You would think with the way my palms look from stabbing all the time I would change it more often, especially with the zillions I have of those **** things.

When I was on syringes I never used one more than once, so why don't I do the same with lancets. (looking for icon of hand hitting head)

Karen

Ed-In-TX

10-15-2006, 06:39 PM

spike

10-15-2006, 07:05 PM

I've spent the last 20+ years in medical laboratories all around the country (software consultant). I've heard too many stories, like the one about a computer tech getting a rare equine (horse) disease, just by using a keyboard in the lab (vet lab).
I wash my hands, use an alcohol swab and NEW lancet EVERY time! Can't imagine doing it any other way!

Imagine it, Ed. Many of us old timer DM's don't make a big deal out of checking our bg's. Same lancet for months, alcohol dries out the skin, so we don't use it, etc. I used to be a mechanic with grease on my hands and poked right through the grease. LOL! Never had a problem. Have YOU??

Diana

10-15-2006, 09:05 PM

I change mine probably four times a year, and whenever I test someone else. So maybe 5 times a year?

Its a matter of weighing up the inconvenience of changing it vs the chance of pain/deadly infection :whistling . For me, I go for convenience. Its up to each individual to decide what suits them best.

Actually, I think my lancet collection is growing, as you get 10 free lancets with every machine you buy.. I think I've recieved more free lancets over the last few years than I've actually used!

labob

10-15-2006, 11:56 PM

My CDE took me to task about this just last week. I change lancets maybe once every three months. My CDE nearly had a stroke when I told her that. She said that if I would not change lancets with every reading (which is what she would prefer), I should at least change lancets every 24 hours. Lancets are cheap (compared to strips), so I get where she's coming from. But good grief, I find it hard enough to get out of the door in the morning as it is . . .

LI_Beach_Girl

10-16-2006, 03:54 AM

I change it when it starts to hurt. probably about once a week

Michele

10-16-2006, 08:28 AM

I change mine every time, I have one of those prefilled pens with 6 in it, so it's easier.

clee

10-16-2006, 08:49 AM

I change my lancet each time. After I to my stick and place the blood into the strip I automatically take the lacent out. I don't even have to think about. I do it so quickly sometimes I forget I've done it.

Clee

lgvincent

10-16-2006, 09:33 AM

I might as well use a new lancet with each strip since they send me as many lancets as strips. I'm paying for the darn things so I need to use them.

dds51968

10-16-2006, 01:38 PM

i change mine every time i test. as the whole testing thing is something of a bother, the extra moments needed to change the lancet hardly makes a difference. and as others stated the cost is minimal, and it would seem to be the best thing from a hygenic stand point , but thats just my opinion.

BriOnH

10-16-2006, 01:51 PM

I change it about once a month. I have an alcohol pad with me too but only use it if I haven't had a chance to wash my hands and/or my finger tips are just dirty. The rare horse disease should be an episode on House :).

I rotate lancing pens. I use the Accuc-Check Soft clix for a month then will use the one that came with my ultra meters. Makes drawing blood easier.

MJM

10-16-2006, 02:06 PM

I change about once every day, which means every 4th to 6th test. Depends on humour, how blunt the needle feels and whether I feel like changing. We are a strange bunch!!!!!

Emm

10-16-2006, 02:42 PM

I used to change mine approx every 2/3 weeks, but lately in NZ there are posters everywhere with pics of how blunt & ugly the point gets after a couple of uses. They're trying to get us to change more often... and I started doing that, roughly weekly - sure did notice the difference! Feels so much nicer with a new lancet.

But I am still too lazy/budget concious or whatever my excuse is... can't be pooped changing more than once a week unless it starts hurting/bruising.

For the sake of comfort and cleanliness I'd say we're better off changing them at least once a day. I see most of us don't though!

slipperyelm

10-16-2006, 06:20 PM

I think I might change it once every three weeks, average. Sometimes once a week, sometimes every three to five weeks. But, I'll probably change it right after I hit the submit button, just because I've been reminded. I still have lancets from my very first box of 100, obtained in, what, 1993? I wonder if they are micro-rusty by now.

FrankDr

10-16-2006, 08:35 PM

I change about every 10 days or so. I have the Multi-Clix. It holds 6 lancets in a cartridge, so I only have to change the drum every 2 months or so. The Freestyle / Cozmonitor I use came with the Freestyle lancing device. I've managed to get some xtra pokes changing the lancet with that evil thing. The Multi-Clix drum is totally enclosed, so you can't get poked when changing it. I've tried about 5 different brands, and the Multi-Clix is the best I've used.

-Later

thaivh

10-16-2006, 08:56 PM

I change lancet everytime I test, but after ready what many forum members wrote, I am changing it to one everyday.

JasonJayhawk

10-16-2006, 09:17 PM

I change every time my lancet cap unscrews itself, after it starts to hurt too much, or after I've lanced myself when my hands aren't clean.

The lancet device with the Accu-chek Aviva is nice -- it lets you have a drum of 30G lancets to revolve through without having to handle any lancet. I'll probably end up changing more often now.

Cyborg

10-16-2006, 09:36 PM

Will

10-16-2006, 10:20 PM

JasonJayhawk

10-16-2006, 10:23 PM

Now that is cool... Do they also have support for a drum of test strips?

Ironically, the Accu-chek series is the "one with the drum" -- the Accu-chek Compact meter has a drum of strips. There is a second generation "Compact" out there.

The common complaint about the first Compact is the amount of blood it requires, and the slow test time (about 8-15 seconds) and the basis of using a photocell to determine the glucose level (if it gets dusty, the readings will be off).

I'm not sure what their newer Compact features.

The "drum" of lancets are all self-contained, so there's never exposure to sharps when it's out of the pen. To move to a new pen, you just rotate the top of the pen. When the last "clean" lancet has been used, the top of the pen will no longer rotate. It's nice how the rotation is optional -- that way, if you have a bad lancing experience, it doesn't force you to use a new lancet.

Cyborg

10-16-2006, 10:27 PM

So it has both lancets and test strips in drums?

How is insurance coverage? I use about 300 strips a month. And how is the accuracy?

dacruzer

10-17-2006, 06:36 AM

I change mine after use.

kgm0612

10-17-2006, 06:43 AM

Once a week if I remember or when it starts hurting!

sandyhandz

10-17-2006, 08:43 AM

Wow, interesting... So that's one way everyone keeps their supply costs down.

I'm usually a firm believer in changing needles/lancets. After years of infertility meds and shots to the belly and butt, I've learned the hard way that a needle does get blunted - even with going thru a vial to withdraw.

However, I recently got the Accu-chek Aviva machine with the multi lancet device. I ruined the first couple, learning how to use the lancet device. They used to automatically shut off after you used the lancets in the tip, but now I've noticed it keeps going and going...

This has been a bit of a relief, considering the amount of money I've been spending on copays for my supplies. But I do notice that if it goes around too many times (probably on the third poke per lancet) that I'm not getting enough blood. I test on my forearm, so the needle has to penetrate a bit deeper. I try to keep track of how many times each lancet is being used.

It's nice to see I'm not the only one cheating!

jjordie

10-17-2006, 11:47 AM

Please can somebody tell me why this thread was moved? Did I put it in the wrong forum or what?

Being a recent newbie to this forum just like to know for future postings.

Thanks :confused:

palefacegirl03

10-17-2006, 11:51 AM

Not often enough . I will change it now,time to test anyway.

trekbear

10-17-2006, 12:42 PM

My CDE told me to change mine once a week, after I told her I was changing it after each test. She was like "wow you are doing it the right way???" LOL

I test 3-4 times a day and have noticed that by the end of the week there is a noticeable difference in the way the lancet works too. So I have been changing them every 4-5 days now and that seems to be the ticket.

Stuboy

10-17-2006, 12:45 PM

i might have already replied to this thread, not sure lol,

I change mine once a day before i go to bed....

I USED to change my insulin needles EVERY time i injected, but that was when i was on Mixtard, so in the last week i've been on Basal and bolus i now change ALL my needles once a day before i go to bed. Just a routine i've gotten into now.

EdgyAuthor

10-17-2006, 01:25 PM

I change my lancet every time I test; I've been doing it that way ever since I was diagnosed. It seems silly not to.

Stuboy

10-17-2006, 01:26 PM

how many times a day do you test?

I test like 12 times a day and it very quickly became impractable to change my lancets everytime i tested.

EdgyAuthor

10-17-2006, 01:31 PM

12 times? Wow. I only test 4-6 times a day.

Stuboy

10-17-2006, 01:39 PM

i test a MINIMUM of 7 times a day to log my results. before/after three meals a day and before i go to sleep + all the times in between when i feel "funny" or am just curious what the ol' BG is up to.

EazyE77

10-18-2006, 12:05 AM

I too was changing the lancet after every test in the beginning when I was dxd. Now I'm changing it roughly once a week or so lol. I've got 4 different lancing devices and over 200 lancets. Would think I wouldn't have to worry about the lancets huh? *shrugs* Also only use an alcohol swab when I inject my insluin and never when I test, which I used to do as well when first dxd. I test anywhere from 4 to 6 times a day.

JacquiS

10-18-2006, 03:46 AM

Once or twice a week. Of course my insurance pays for lancets so every month I get a box of 100. I have like......3 boxes now...lol

Cyborg

10-19-2006, 07:37 PM

Wow, interesting... So that's one way everyone keeps their supply costs down.

Lancets are dirt cheap though...

amccrazgrl

10-20-2006, 10:17 AM

I used to change it every single time. That is when I tested like once a day. Then every since I got my pump (test 2 times minuim 4 max) I change it whenver.

Jazz

10-21-2006, 02:32 PM

I have got into the routine of using one lancet and one injection needle per day.

Cyborg

10-22-2006, 07:40 AM

I used to change it every single time. That is when I tested like once a day. Then every since I got my pump (test 2 times minuim 4 max) I change it whenver.

How do you bolus correctly and take corrections if you only test 2-4 times a day while on a pump?

MYDEAR

10-22-2006, 04:05 PM

i change mine every morning....... i test before each meal about 3-4 times a day. i use to change it with each test but i would run out of lancet and then couldn't test.......

xMenace

11-15-2006, 09:17 PM

Man, I learn sometnig every day. I didn't know you could replace them:turtle:

Keezheekoni

11-15-2006, 09:21 PM

Heh, I've changed my ways since my last post on this subject. For some reason, my insurance has decided to balk at the thought of paying for 400 lancets per month...but they'll pay for 400 test strips, the weirdos! Anyhow, I have now started changing them when it starts to hurt sticking my arm. :)

lgvincent

11-15-2006, 09:22 PM

I just changed the lancet and I'm getting nasty bruises on my fingertips so I think it would be best to try another one. I've never had any problems with bruising with the UltraSoft lancet device before.

beezle

11-15-2006, 09:44 PM

You can change the pointy thing? :flute:

Bratty1

11-15-2006, 10:00 PM

lol

for me... I think I change my lancet every couple of days or so. I don't usually go an entire week.

Good post though... see it's stuff like this that I think about but would feel stupid if I tried talking to someone like my mom about it... she'd be clueless as to what I meant. lol

aeromarv

11-16-2006, 06:59 AM

I try to change mine whenever I switch to a new vial of strips which is roughly every 6-7 days. But the key word there is try. I usually end up doing it when I realize it hurts way too much and I need a sharper lancet.

Howard

11-16-2006, 07:12 AM

I used to change the lancet once a day but when I told my diabetic nurse she seemed horrified and said that I should change it everytime I test as it gets more and more blunt everytime and it's not very hygenic. So now I've got into the habit of changing it whenever I test (which is 6-7 times a day). Only takes a few seconds to change it and I don't pay for the lancets so I don't mind :eviltongu

Ricros

11-16-2006, 08:15 AM

When I think about it I change it everyday. If not it usually ends up being 2-4 days.:dontknow:

DazedSheep

11-18-2006, 12:41 PM

When I was allowed to test I only changed it twice a week. I read a letter from a gp who had diabetes and he reused lancets on himself to save the NHS money. Good

andypoo

11-18-2006, 03:02 PM

I'm really shocked at how many don't change each and every time. I just thought that was one of the first things your told,when you've been diagnosed."Change you're lancets!" also,how many clean your machine regularly? I do that,too.

andypoo

11-18-2006, 03:06 PM

I just thoguht of this. Those who don't change your lancets ,do you not change your syringes? It's the same thing.

andypoo

11-18-2006, 03:07 PM

I just thought of this. Those who don't change your lancets ,do you not change your syringes? It's the same thing.

Twisted

11-18-2006, 05:55 PM

I actually have my original box of lancets from when I was diagnosed in Oct. of '04. I probably change lancets once or twice a month if that.

notme

11-18-2006, 06:04 PM

Diabetes 20 years, change of lancets 20x's whether it needed it or not!!! :aetsch:

sweetcheeks

11-19-2006, 12:49 AM

well when i first got my machine i was changing every single time, if im at home i dont mind to change it all the time, but when im at work, it just slows me down, but to answer the question, i change mine about 3 - 4 times a week, just because all the rest of my stuff cost's so much outta my pocket, that i need to save ever dime i can, which is generally how much one costs.

DazedSheep

11-19-2006, 04:15 PM

I just thought of this. Those who don't change your lancets ,do you not change your syringes? It's the same thing.

When I was on insulin I changed needle each time

ladytaz

11-19-2006, 06:50 PM

I probably change mine once or twice a month. I've never had any problems with infection or anything. When it starts to hurt, then I know it's time. Unless I use it on someone else, then I change it before and after, of course.

Stuboy

11-20-2006, 05:23 AM

i think i've already replied to this thread, can't remember... but i change all my needles once a day before i go to bed. It's a good routine and not much hassle at all.

DeusXM

11-20-2006, 06:11 AM

I change my needles once every cartridge and my lancets...umm....once every 6 months maybe?

Gangrel

11-20-2006, 06:17 AM

I change my lancets whenever i think about it, or my fingers fall off, whichever is first.

I usually use my needles for the day, and then get rid of them.......

malffred

12-07-2006, 01:37 AM

I changed mine when I think about it. Which is probably every 3-6 months.

Hahaha same here :wink:

I know I should everytime, but I don't. :embarasse

w5wjp

12-07-2006, 08:19 AM

You can change them? Ummmmmmm.....might have to try that sometime.....lol

New syringe and needle everytime....

xMenace

12-07-2006, 08:29 AM

I haven't changed mine since before this thread started.

MervnShroomy

12-11-2006, 01:51 AM

I changed my lancet for the 1st time yesterday (after 3 weeks). Maybe i'm crazy but it hurts just as much as the old one. It got me thinking about the lancets and needles and how often you end up with defective ones that are slightly blunt. Probably happens pretty often right?

shanda

12-13-2006, 07:52 AM

At first I was told I could use the same lancet over and over for a few weeks so I was doing that. Then I went to Diabetes Education and the nurse educator told me to try to change it every time. I've been doing that lately and find it IS easier on my fingers. And yeah, they are dirt cheap, so why not eh ;)

princesslinda

12-13-2006, 08:08 AM

I change about twice a week (I stick my fingers 4-5 times a day), as they tend to become dull after 2-3 days.

orpy

12-18-2006, 09:58 AM

I change mine after it starts to hurt too.

Melody

12-19-2006, 02:02 PM

I change my lancet at every test. It's a pain but just the thought of getting an infection and thinking that that could lead to amputation of my hand or arm makes me shudder.

I change syringes each time, both for insulin and for my self-injected B12 shots.

Mel

EasyType2

12-20-2006, 06:03 AM

once a week

sbigelow

12-22-2006, 08:42 PM